Just bought a new 11-87 need some choke suggestions. I've heard good things out of the jelly head .660 what are some more chokes to look at
The first question is what barrel is on it?
Best choke overall that I have used in my 26" 1187 is an IC .665. PG .670 does well. For an inexpensive choke, the TG SSX does well. Mine is one of the few Rems I have heard of that doesn't do all that well with a JH, .660 or .665. Don't own one, but I hear great things about Sumtoys.
I have a 21" barrel on mine and the IC .665 has been the best choke for me by far. Like Bandedspur, My gun does not do good with either of the JH chokes.
Quote from: Swamp on April 02, 2013, 06:46:01 PM
Just bought a new 11-87 need some choke suggestions. I've heard good things out of the jelly head .660 what are some more chokes to look at
Another MAJOR thing to consider is what shells/shot size/ lead ot HTL do you plan on using?
That is an easy on the recoil gun . My favorite in the 28" bbl is a 665 whether it be a Rem SF or Hastings when shooting the old Rem Hevi-shot #6s.
Try a Ventilator if you get a chance. You can pick them up for less than $20. My 870 shoots great with one, i'm going to be trying out my 11-87 this weekend.
Quote from: Swamp on April 02, 2013, 06:46:01 PM
Just bought a new 11-87 need some choke suggestions. I've heard good things out of the jelly head .660 what are some more chokes to look at
I've shot 11-87s since shortly after they were introduced. My first gun came with a 24" barrel and I added a 26", 28" and 30" over the years. I bought a second as a back-up since I used that gun both for hunting and competition. I shot literally thousands of mostly turkey shells through the first one over many years.
During that time I tried every commercial choke that I found out about and if they were made in different e.d.s I tried them.
I found that the 26" and longer barrels did best and for the last few years I've shot the SSX with Hevi-13 shells through it. Recently, a friend wanted that gun more that I did, so I let him have it.
I still have the back-up gun and I have a Hybrid Turkey Choke in it. Since that choke is seldom available today, I'd recommend that you try the SSX or the Hevi-13 turkey choke.
Thanks,
Clark
If you got a new 11-87 that came with a Wingmaster HD Predator/Turkey tube, don't overlook it.
I did at first,and bought a Jellyhead .660 and .665, then decided to try the factory tube after the fact. It did just as good as the Jellies, maybe a tad less with some shot, if I would have known, probablly wouldn't have bought the other chokes.
Quote from: remmy1187 on April 03, 2013, 08:38:11 AM
I have a 21" barrel on mine and the IC .665 has been the best choke for me by far. Like Bandedspur, My gun does not do good with either of the JH chokes.
Join the club. I kept hearing all this talk about how well these Jelly Head chokes shoot in the Rem barrels. I tried the .665 and the .660 with the Hevi-13 3" 2oz #7 loads, and I also tried the .665 Inidan Creek BDS choke. All 3 shot exactly about 200 in the 10". I got rid of all of them. I tried 4 Indian Creek BDS chokes within say 2 week time frame. The .665 like ai already said, then went to the .655 which shot a lot better than the .665 at around 255 then I tried the .669 and it did around 265 and the .675 that did around 240. I ended up going back and keeping the .669, and I later sold it due tot the fact that my .675 Super Max would out shoot it. But I should of hung on to that .669 choke. But that just goes to show how a .004 bigger choke diameter can make a huge difference in the way a barrel will shoot. My barrel is 28" and my 870 is a 3" chamber. So needless to say I am no Jelly head fan.
Quote from: CntrlPA on April 03, 2013, 09:15:15 AM
Try a Ventilator if you get a chance. You can pick them up for less than $20. My 870 shoots great with one, i'm going to be trying out my 11-87 this weekend.
That choke will work in all Rem barrels I believe. For a .655 choke, I have done 282 shot in a 10" at a taped 40yds with Hevi-13 3" 2oz #7's out of my 3" 870 28" barrel.
And for the record the .643 SSX choke was one of the worst chokes I tried in my 870 barrel.
This choke will in my honest opinion and that goes for a lot of guys that swear by the Jelly Head will more than likely consistently out shoot the Jelly Heads in a lot of Rem barrels. And it's cheaper. That choke for the moeny is still the best choke I have found. Now that is not counting the fact that I paid less than $30 for my MAD Super Max .675 choke off gunbroker that will out shoot it on warmer days. But I'm atalking normal price. MAD chokes originally were like $75.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/956890.htm
If you have a Rem gun that takes Rem chokes, you owe it to yourself to try this choke. It shoots #6 loads very well too.
I shoot hevi 6's thru a jellyhead .665. Without the leupold, I would choose to open up the pattern some as the .665 throws a tight but huntable pattern
It was 283 shot, sorry about that. Now I will post this here. There are a couple of holes at the bottom right and bottom left. But I have seen some more even patterns out of this choke that wasn't as many in the 10" as this one. But I'll show it to you guys. I think that was the very first shot I shot out of the new choke. Like I said, this choke for the money will be hard to beat.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF5158.JPG)
I'll show you one more with Hevi-13 3" 1.75oz #6's. I doubt if a Jelly Head .660 or .665 would do this with that small of a load.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00631.jpg)
Here's another more even one with the 2oz #7's. But it was shot at a cool 45 degrees.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00675.jpg)
That 283 above was shot at probably around 70 degrees.
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
Have you tried a Haymaker .670 yet in your Rem. I have one, but I haven't shot it yet. But I bought it with high hopes from the report I have from VaTurkey in his Benelli. Ricky pretty much said it's the best choke he has shot.
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
And what loads are you talking about. I haven't seen a Ventilator choke not shoot well in a 870 with Hevi-13 #7's.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 03, 2013, 01:03:31 PM
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
Have you tried a Haymaker .670 yet in your Rem. I have one, but I haven't shot it yet. But I bought it with high hopes from the report I have from VaTurkey in his Benelli. Ricky pretty much said it's the best choke he has shot.
Nope, I haven't bought any new choke tubes in a few years. I'd love to try a Haymaker and Indian Creek. As far as HTL is concerned though, I just don't see a choke beating my JH .665 in a pellet count. It's actually too tight for the majority of areas I hunt. I backed off and went with a Rem SF Hevi approved to open my pattern up a bit. I'm still getting 170's in a 10" @ 40 yds with H-13 3.5" 2.25 oz #6 (good lot #'s).
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 03, 2013, 01:06:46 PM
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
And what loads are you talking about. I haven't seen a Ventilator choke not shoot well in a 870 with Hevi-13 #7's.
3" - 1-7/8 oz - #6 Federal Turkey THUGS ... never felt the need to run a Hevi through it being I had 2 other chokes I was plenty satisfied with.
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 01:13:37 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 03, 2013, 01:03:31 PM
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
Have you tried a Haymaker .670 yet in your Rem. I have one, but I haven't shot it yet. But I bought it with high hopes from the report I have from VaTurkey in his Benelli. Ricky pretty much said it's the best choke he has shot.
Nope, I haven't bought any new choke tubes in a few years. I'd love to try a Haymaker and Indian Creek. As far as HTL is concerned though, I just don't see a choke beating my JH .665 in a pellet count. It's actually too tight for the majority of areas I hunt. I backed off and went with a Rem SF Hevi approved to open my pattern up a bit. I'm still getting 170's in a 10" @ 40 yds with H-13 3.5" 2.25 oz #6 (good lot #'s).
No offense, but I can consistently get that and more with the Ventilator and only the 1.75oz #6 Hevi-13 loads.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 03, 2013, 01:16:01 PM
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 01:13:37 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 03, 2013, 01:03:31 PM
Quote from: JBIRD22 on April 03, 2013, 12:40:04 PM
Just goes to show you how different guns/barrels can be. The JH .665 shines in my 870 SM 23". It's too dang tight if you ask me. The Ventilator did horribly in my 870 SPT 26" while the TG SSX .643 and Kick's .655 both shot pretty good, not fantastic, with 3" #6 THUGS. I'm gonna test those same 3 chokes in my 870 SM 23" with the THUGS for the heck of it but so far I'm VERY un-impressed with the Ventilator.
Have you tried a Haymaker .670 yet in your Rem. I have one, but I haven't shot it yet. But I bought it with high hopes from the report I have from VaTurkey in his Benelli. Ricky pretty much said it's the best choke he has shot.
Nope, I haven't bought any new choke tubes in a few years. I'd love to try a Haymaker and Indian Creek. As far as HTL is concerned though, I just don't see a choke beating my JH .665 in a pellet count. It's actually too tight for the majority of areas I hunt. I backed off and went with a Rem SF Hevi approved to open my pattern up a bit. I'm still getting 170's in a 10" @ 40 yds with H-13 3.5" 2.25 oz #6 (good lot #'s).
No offense, but I can consistently get that and more with the Ventilator and only the 1.75oz #6 Hevi-13 loads.
No offense taken. This stuff isn't a contest to me like it once was. I found a combo that suits my needs and that's all that matters to me. It produces a nice even pattern in both the 10" and 20" @ 40 yds. There's not a gobbler around that will escape it if I do my part.
As far as my JH .665 and that same round is concerned, it'll beat my REM SF by 40-50 pellets in the 10". The only problem is that it doesn't leave enough wiggle room for my liking in the 20".
Maybe one day my curiosity will get the best of me and I'll run a Hevi through my Ventilator but as of now I have no desire to.
Mine has the 28" barrel and I'm planning on shooting lead. I refuse to pay the outrageous prices for hevi shot. I have 3 boxes of the 3" #6s thugs a box of 3" win xx #5s to try when I decide on a choke.
Try the HEVI-Shot .662 choke with the #6 3in 2oz HEVI13 and the Rhino .660 with the #7 3in 2 oz HEVI13
I agree JBIRD ... I'm all about great "real world" hunting patterns now... no so much about the 10 circle. I know the whole 10in thing is a sport for some folks and that's great. I have a 11-87, 23in and JH .660 shooting HEVI #7. The pattern is great.. I got over 270 yesterday. But I'm concerned about the shooting birds at 25 yards or less... cause the reality is that is where most the shots are taken around Florida woods.
I may try something a little more open... like JH .665
Quote from: Swamp on April 03, 2013, 03:54:10 PM
Mine has the 28" barrel and I'm planning on shooting lead. I refuse to pay the outrageous prices for hevi shot. I have 3 boxes of the 3" #6s thugs a box of 3" win xx #5s to try when I decide on a choke.
You picked a great barrel length in my experience. That barrel should get you some excellent patterns. I would recommend that you "deep clean" it before you take it to the range. Even brand new barrels benefit from that process. It helps to remove any left-over "gunk" from manufacturing and allows you to really see just how your barrel looks on the inside. My Remington barrels have all been very slick.
Whatever choke you choose and whatever shell works best for you in your gun, good luck this spring in the turkey woods.
Thanks,
Clark
thanks Clark I upgraded form a mossy 535 with a 24" barrel only shell that shot decent out of it was the thug 3" 6s. How was your 11-87 on recoil with 3.5s? If you shot any 3.5s.
Quote from: FL-Boss on April 03, 2013, 04:05:50 PM
I agree JBIRD ... I'm all about great "real world" hunting patterns now... no so much about the 10 circle. I know the whole 10in thing is a sport for some folks and that's great. I have a 11-87, 23in and JH .660 shooting HEVI #7. The pattern is great.. I got over 270 yesterday. But I'm concerned about the shooting birds at 25 yards or less... cause the reality is that is where most the shots are taken around Florida woods.
I may try something a little more open... like JH .665
I can tell you the difference between a choke that is even .655 vs .675 ain't going to be much when it comes to wiggly room at say 20yds. And in a lot of cases the more open choke will in fact shoot tighter.
Quote from: Swamp on April 03, 2013, 04:24:06 PM
thanks Clark I upgraded form a mossy 535 with a 24" barrel only shell that shot decent out of it was the thug 3" 6s. How was your 11-87 on recoil with 3.5s? If you shot any 3.5s.
I only shoot 3.5" shells to evaluate something new. I shoot 3" shells on a regular basis but the 11-87 is a very soft shooting gun. I replaced the factory recoil pads on both guns with Limbsavers and for bench work and in competition, I also put a Shooter's Friend recoil pad over that. Recoil is the enemy of accuracy.
Thanks,
Clark
I have used the 1187 for over a decade..with a 24" barrell. My best pattern came from the Indian Creek and Jelly Head did well too. This was after I ditched the 3.5" shells and went with 3" shells. My gun would not pattern the larger shell. Good luck.
Well I've seen enough here to convince me to try the Ventilator. Thanks for the link. I am using a Jelly Head .665 in my new 11-87 and am not overly impressed with the patterns so I figure for $20 the Ventilator might just be the ticket. if not, it was only a 20 buck ticket. Thanks for all your input.
I would try out the hevishot choke, I've had good luck with them out of several guns